Do The Right Thing!

After a tiring weekend of work, today I was at Cancer Research, doing what I love best, raising money for good causes. The day started off well and I got on restocking the electrical department, something I do regularly on a Monday morning. As lunch time approached I popped out into the high street to buy a sandwich and carry out a few errands. Despite working hard all week, I find my time at Cancer Research relaxing and a bit of a stress reliever, but not today!

Whilst out for lunch, I popped into a high street shop to buy a book. As I browsed at the rear, I heard a commotion, shouting and screaming coming from the entrance, so I moved closer, trying to hear what was going on. I saw two young girls, no more that eighteen years old, cowering by the desk, as a man shouted abuse in their direction. He was yelling expletives, talking in a derogatory way, about the girls appearance, making it very clear what he wanted to do to them. Clearly the man was unhinged, on drugs or worse, so seeing how distressed the girls were, I walked over to try and get the man out of the shop.

By the time I got to them, one of the girls was in floods of tears, as the man smacked her hard on her back. Firmly I asked the guy to leave, at which point he turned his attention towards me, lashing out, swearing and calling me a number of different names; nothing I couldn't handle. Once again I asked him to leave and moved closer, trying to usher him out of the door. Eventually he was escorted out by staff as I stood between him and the girls and the Police were phoned.

I continued shopping and made my way back to Cancer Research, making sure the girls were OK before I went and told them to stay put until the Police arrived. In front of me I saw the man being questioned by security at the entrance to The Cascades Shopping Centre. He spotted me walking towards him and began yet another tirade of screeching. As I travelled past, he turned and spat square in my face. I asked the security guards to phone the Police and make sure they held him until they arrived. He seemed like a monster, full of hate and anger and a danger to the public.

A little later, I had a visit from an Officer at Cancer Research, who took a quick statement. He explained the man had mental health issues and should have been out in town with an escort, but managed to get away. His own Mother was also his designated carer and was also finding it difficult to keep him under control. At eighty years old she was no longer able to look after him. The Officer assured me he was going to try and get his Mum and him help, asking me whether I wanted to press charges. Well obviously he pulled at my heart strings and I said no, as long as he gets the help he needs and we left it there.

I have often seen situations where a person is being abused in public and have intervened on occasion, or found someone in authority to deal with the incident. I am amazed at how people can just walk away when someone is in trouble; as human beings we have a duty to look out for others and do what we can to help. There is so much violence on the streets today, it is up to the public to be vigilant. Police numbers are falling and the amount of money put into mental health care has been slashed, so there will inevitably be many more such occurrences in future. As an individual I have always helped others, whether through charity work, mentoring or just offering an open door, when someone is in need. I will always be there if I can, as all of us should be. If we do the right thing, the World will be a much better place!